Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of the Philippines regarding (1) the recent murders of journalists Percival Mabasa and Renato Blanco in that country, and (2) the harassing of other journalists by accusations of criminal libel; and if they are not making such representations, why not.

The UK promotes media freedom in the Philippines, and urges the Philippine authorities to investigate reports of harassment and crimes against journalists. With the Media Freedom Coalition, we have commented publicly on press freedom in the Philippines, including on the charges against Rappler Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa, and the killing of Percival Mabasa. On 26 October, the British Ambassador called for those responsible for Percival Mabasa's death to be brought to justice. We raise human rights regularly with the Government of the Philippines. The British Ambassador raised this with the Executive Secretary on 19 October 2022. The former Foreign Secretary raised this in November 2021.